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| India to reshape ties with Pak if its acts against terror |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Jun 04, 2009, 11:39 IST |
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India today said it will seek to "reshape" ties with Pakistan depending on its sincerity in acting against terror groups operating from its soil.
"My government will seek to reshape our relationship with Pakistan depending on the sincerity of Pakistan's actions to confront groups who launch terrorist attacks against India from its territory," President Pratibha Patil said in her address to the joint sitting of Parliament here.
The statement came two days after the release of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed, who was detained in the wake of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
India has officially conveyed to Islamabad its disappointment over the release of Saeed saying it is convinced that Pakistan has taken limited or no action to dismantle the terror infrastructure existing on its territory.
Outlining contours of government's foreign policy, the President said New Delhi will support initiatives in Sri Lanka, which can lead to a permanent political solution of the conflict there and ensure that all Sri Lankan communities, especially the Tamils, feel secure and enjoy equal rights so that they can lead a life of dignity and self-respect.
"India will make appropriate contribution to rehabilitate those affected by the conflict," she said.
The President said the government will continue to maintain the "momentum" of improvement of relations with the major powers including the US and Russia.
"The transformation of our partnership with the United States of America will be taken forward. Our strategic partnership with Russia has grown over the years, and we will seek to further consolidate it," she said.
New Delhi has voiced its keenness to further strengthen its strategic ties with the Obama Administration.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to be here on July 20 when New Delhi hopes to get an understanding of the Obama Administration's position on Pakistan and other issues of key concern to India.
In her address, the President referred to Nepal and Bangladesh, where multi-party democracy has returned and said India will work closely with both countries to continue expanding bilateral ties for mutual benefit.
"Government will strengthen our close and vibrant partnerships with Bhutan and Maldives and continue to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan," she said.
Patil said Government will continue sustained diplomatic efforts with Europe and Japan which have produced "qualitative" changes in relations since 2004. The multi-faceted partnership with China will be expanded.
India will contribute to all efforts at peace in West Asia through the establishment of a viable Palestinian State at the earliest, she said adding the traditionally close ties with Gulf countries will be strengthened.
The President said the government will expand the relations with African, South East Asian, Pacific and Latin America regions.
"The process of engagement with Africa re-energized with the first Indo-Africa Summit organized by my government will be further expanded.
"The multi-dimensional partnerships with countries in South-East Asia and the Pacific as well as Central Asia and the Latin American region will be consolidated," she said.
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